Framework to fill the gap: New response to domestic and family violence
Port Stephens Examiner
By Laura Rumbel
October 3 2024 – 4:30pm
When it comes to providing efficient domestic and family violence services, Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services (PSFANS) is paving the way.
The Raymond Terrace-based not-for-profit organisation is one of four NSW local government area’s that are part of a new framework model.
The Safe and Together Model fills the gaps in knowledge and practice and assists all systems touching on domestic violence to become domestic abuse-informed, supporting child well-being and safety across all partners in the domestic violence community.
Earlier this year, Domestic Violence NSW released an expression of interest for specialist domestic family violence (DFV) services working in collaboration with child and family services to participate in the CHRISTIE research project, which PSFANS were eager to be a part of.
PSFANS manager Sue Pollock said what the model means is that services are working from the same framework.
“Hopefully by using this framework, it will reduce further incidents and breaches of domestic violence,” she said.
Through the project, services have the opportunity to build collaboration between DFV and child and family services to jointly undertake Safe and Together training and apply the Safe and Together model in their work.
“One of Port Stephens strengths has always been in partnership and that we all work together,” Ms Pollock said.
Safe and Together is an internationally renowned model of working with families impacted by domestic and family violence and focuses on:
- Perpetrator patterns of behaviour
- The impact on the safety and wellbeing of adult and child victims
- Partnering with survivors in ways that recognise their strengths and improve their safety
PSFANS assistant manager Ann Fletcher said the training focused on children at the centre.
“One of the big takeaways from the training was that every choice you make matters to your children,” she said.
“If you choose to withhold child support, that might mean your children don’t have food in their lunch box,” Ms Pollock said.
The Safe and Together model allows Port Stephens services such as PSFANS, police and corrections to collaborate together and Ms Pollock said the systems that respond to family and domestic violence are all overwhelmed and in crisis and it’s no different in Port Stephens.
“Although the demand for services is overwhelming, we provide the very best we can for women and children.”
